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Bagel Bar – Kingston, PA
Motti Hershkop initially opened Bagel Bar as part of a broader effort to develop kosher eating options in the region. “Being a kosher eater myself, I saw that the area lacked strictly kosher options. Add to that the absence of good NY-style bagels, and the decision to open was easy,” says Motti.
Bagel Bar is a bakery and cafe that specializes in kettle boiled NY style bagels
They also have a full catering department that holds parties and events. Their menu is primarily dairy based, and they are the only certified kosher full-service restaurant in the region. Their go-to options? Bagels and pizza—classic, simple, and done right. “Without a doubt, what sets us apart is being kosher certified and our commitment to quality. We kettle boil our bagels daily on-site and make all our dressings and sauces from scratch,” says Motti.
“Bagel Bar started less than two years ago, and the response has been incredible! Since then, we’ve expanded into wholesale and catering. We’re also working on opening two more locations—though it’s still early for details,” says Motti.
Giving Back
“As a business, we host events that are community-centric from time to time. We also try and give back by participating in charities or fundraisers. While we can’t support every cause, we do our best to contribute—especially to local schools and charities,” says Motti. “Last summer, we got a call about a camp with several hundred kids stranded without food. There was some issue with bussing—I’m not sure of the details. But because we make everything in-house, we were able to produce enough food quickly. I personally took the delivery, and the kids’ gratitude was overwhelming. It reminded me how easy it is to take food for granted. Being able to step in and help in that moment was an incredible experience.”
Flourishing in NEPA
According to Motti, community is one of the best parts of choosing NEPA as a location. “NEPA is an incredible place to open for business and has amazing resources that are there to help you grow and succeed. These are not only [for] nonprofit organizations, but neighbors and fellow small business owners,” says Motti. “Shortly after we opened, we had a small fire. An individual stopped by and told the manager that he would like to meet me. I met this individual – a complete stranger at the time, and he introduced himself as Dan from Abide Coffee. Dan told me he heard about the fire and wanted to do a fundraiser where he would donate the profits to help us get back on our feet. I was shocked. I never met this guy, and for all intents and purposes, he should have considered himself a competitor. Instead, he considered himself a friend. It was a side of NEPA I might never have seen if I hadn’t started a local business.”
Connect With Bagel Bar!
You can find Bagel Bar online on Facebook and Instagram and even place an online order here. They can also be reached by phone at 570-910-2220 or you can stop by their shop at 378 Pierce St, Kingston, PA 18704.
